Taylor River - Otter Falls, Big Creek Falls — Monday, Apr. 28, 2025

We had a terrific hike to Otter and Big Falls today. One car was in the lot when we pulled at 10:00, it was 48 degrees with overcast skies. The vault toilet was open and had no TP. When walked back up just before 4:00 it had been serviced after weekend use and stocked with numerous rolls of TP.  As mentioned in previous trip reports the drive to the trailhead lot has serious pot holes to dodge after you cross the Taylor River Bridge. The entire trail was mostly dry. Two thirds of the trail is loose rocks with exposed roots due to erosion, so you really appreciate the softer needle cushion duff areas. There were 6 downed trees to step over or take a path around. I doubt this trail get’s much trail maintenance.  Every where you looked all the fauna is green. Wildflowers were along the trail throughout. We saw oodles of trillium, bleeding heart, salmon berry, miner’s lettuce, yellow & purple violets, skunk cabbage and false Solomon seal. Both falls are spectacular in their own way so hard to recommend one over the other, visit both for an 11 mile outing. Trail traffic was super-light we only passed 5 other group with 1-3 hikers a 3 we behaved dogs on leashes or great voice recall. Animal sightings were nonexistent except the call of a woodpecker near Big Creek Falls. Another fantastic day out in nature with friends.